An optical module includes a polarized-light separation device configured to separate first and second polarized components of incident light, a light valve configured to receive at least the first polarized component, and output at least a portion of the received light to the polarized-light separation device. The optical module further includes an imaging device disposed at a position that is at least substantially optically conjugated with the light valve, and an optical member positioned and configured to remove at least a portion of the second polarized component of the incident light before reaching the image pickup device.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An optical module, comprising: an illumination section configured to emit illumination light; a polarized-light separation device configured to receive the illumination light from the illumination section and separate a first polarized component and a second polarized component of the illumination light; a light valve configured to receive at least the first polarized component, and output at least a portion of the received first polarized component to the polarized-light separation device; an image pickup device at a position that is at least substantially optically conjugated with the light valve; and a relay lens group between the polarized-light separation device and the image pickup device, wherein the image pickup device is smaller than the light valve.
An optical module for projection displays includes an illumination source that emits light. A polarized-light separation device splits the light into two polarized components. A light valve receives at least one of these components and outputs a portion of it back to the separation device. An image pickup device is positioned to be optically conjugated with the light valve, capturing an image. A relay lens group is located between the separation device and the image pickup device, and the image pickup device is smaller than the light valve.
2. The optical module according to claim 1 , wherein the light valve is further configured to modulate at least the first polarized component, and output at least a portion of the modulated first polarized component to the polarized-light separation device.
The optical module, which includes an illumination source, a polarized-light separation device, a light valve, an image pickup device and a relay lens group, modulates the polarized light using the light valve. This means the light valve changes the properties of the polarized light before sending a portion of it back to the polarized-light separation device. The image pickup device is optically conjugated with the light valve and is smaller than the light valve.
3. The optical module according to claim 1 , wherein the polarized-light separation device is a wire grid.
The optical module, which includes an illumination source, a polarized-light separation device, a light valve, an image pickup device and a relay lens group, uses a wire grid as the polarized-light separation device. The wire grid separates incoming light into its polarized components, directing them along different paths. The image pickup device is optically conjugated with the light valve and is smaller than the light valve.
4. The optical module according to claim 1 , wherein the polarized-light separation device is further configured to receive the illumination light from a first direction, wherein the polarized-light separation device is further configured to allow the first polarized component included in the illumination light to travel in a second direction, and allows the second polarized component included in the illumination light to travel in a third direction.
The optical module, which includes an illumination source, a polarized-light separation device, a light valve, an image pickup device and a relay lens group, directs the incoming light from the illumination source along a first direction to the polarized-light separation device. The polarized-light separation device then redirects the first polarized component of the light along a second direction, and the second polarized component along a third direction. The image pickup device is optically conjugated with the light valve and is smaller than the light valve.
5. The optical module according to claim 4 , wherein the light valve is further configured to receive the illumination light from the third direction that intersects the first direction.
The optical module with illumination source, polarized-light separation device, light valve, image pickup device, and relay lens group, directs incoming light to the polarized-light separation device. The separation device directs one polarized component along a second direction, and another along a third direction, which intersects the first direction. The light valve receives the polarized light from this third direction. The image pickup device is optically conjugated with the light valve and is smaller than the light valve.
6. The optical module according to claim 4 , wherein the light valve is further configured to modulate at least the first polarized component from the polarized-light separation device in the second direction, and output at least a portion of the modulated first polarized component to the polarized-light separation device in the second direction.
The optical module including illumination source, polarized-light separation device, light valve, image pickup device, and relay lens group, uses the light valve to modulate the polarized light it receives from the separation device. The light valve receives the polarized light in a second direction, modulates it and then outputs a portion of this modulated light back towards the polarized-light separation device, also in the second direction. The polarized-light separation device originally separated light into polarized components traveling in second and third directions. The image pickup device is optically conjugated with the light valve and is smaller than the light valve.
7. The optical module according to claim 1 , further comprising a visible-light filter adjacent to the image pickup device.
The optical module for projection displays includes an illumination source that emits light, a polarized-light separation device that splits the light into two polarized components, a light valve that receives at least one of these components and outputs a portion of it back to the separation device, and an image pickup device positioned to be optically conjugated with the light valve. A relay lens group is located between the separation device and the image pickup device, where the image pickup device is smaller than the light valve. A visible-light filter is placed near the image pickup device to filter the light spectrum.
8. The optical module according to claim 1 , wherein the polarized-light separation device is further configured to receive the illumination light from a first direction, wherein the polarized-light separation device is further configured to: allow the first polarized component included in the illumination light to travel in a second direction, and allow the second polarized component included in the illumination light to travel in a third direction, wherein the light valve is further configured to: modulate, based on image data, the first polarized component included in the illumination light that enters from the second direction through the polarized-light separation device, and allow the modulated light to exit therefrom in a fourth direction and to pass through the polarized-light separation device, wherein a projection lens is configured to project, on a projection plane, the modulated light that exit from the light valve in the fourth direction, wherein the image pickup device is further configured to receive detection light from the third direction through both the projection lens and the polarized-light separation device, and wherein one or more optical members are configured to reduce at least the second polarized component included in the illumination light.
The optical module utilizes an illumination source, a polarized-light separation device, a light valve, an image pickup device, a relay lens group, and a projection lens to project images and detect objects. The polarized-light separation device receives light in a first direction, directing different polarized components along second and third directions. The light valve modulates the polarized light based on image data and outputs it in a fourth direction. A projection lens projects this modulated light onto a surface. The image pickup device captures light reflecting from the surface, entering from the third direction through both the projection lens and the polarized-light separation device. Optical elements reduce unwanted polarized light components. The image pickup device is smaller than the light valve.
9. An optical system, comprising: an optical module including: an illumination section configured to emit illumination light; a polarized-light separation device configured to receive the illumination light from the illumination section and separate a first polarized component and a second polarized component of the illumination light; a light valve configured to receive at least the first polarized component, and output at least a portion of the received first polarized component to the polarized-light separation device; an image pickup device at a position that is at least substantially optically conjugated with the light valve; and a relay lens group between the polarized-light separation device and the image pickup device, wherein the image pickup device is smaller than the light valve; and an image processing section configured to process image data received by the image pickup device.
An optical system incorporates an optical module and an image processing unit. The optical module includes an illumination source that emits light. A polarized-light separation device splits the light into two polarized components. A light valve receives at least one of these components and outputs a portion of it back to the separation device. An image pickup device is positioned to be optically conjugated with the light valve, capturing an image. A relay lens group is located between the separation device and the image pickup device, and the image pickup device is smaller than the light valve. The image processing section then processes the image data received by the image pickup device.
10. The optical system according to claim 9 , wherein the light valve is further configured to modulate at least the first polarized component, and output at least a portion of the modulated first polarized component to the polarized-light separation device.
The optical system, which includes an optical module and an image processing unit, where the optical module includes an illumination source, a polarized-light separation device, a light valve, an image pickup device and a relay lens group, modulates the polarized light using the light valve. This means the light valve changes the properties of the polarized light before sending a portion of it back to the polarized-light separation device. The image pickup device is optically conjugated with the light valve and is smaller than the light valve.
11. The optical system according to claim 9 , wherein the image processing section is configured to process the image data based on received light that is outside a visible light spectrum.
The optical system, containing an optical module and an image processing unit, where the optical module includes an illumination source, a polarized-light separation device, a light valve, an image pickup device and a relay lens group, processes image data based on light outside the visible spectrum. The image pickup device captures light, and the image processing section analyzes the components that are invisible to the human eye. The image pickup device is optically conjugated with the light valve and is smaller than the light valve.
12. The optical system according to claim 9 , further comprising a visible-light filter adjacent to the image pickup device.
The optical system, with an optical module and an image processing unit, where the optical module includes an illumination source, a polarized-light separation device, a light valve, an image pickup device and a relay lens group, also has a visible-light filter near the image pickup device. This filter blocks visible light, allowing only specific wavelengths to reach the image pickup device for processing. The image pickup device is optically conjugated with the light valve and is smaller than the light valve.
13. The optical system according to claim 9 , wherein the polarized-light separation device is further configured to receive the illumination light from a first direction, wherein the polarized-light separation device is further configured to: allow the first polarized component included in the illumination light to travel in a second direction, and allow the second polarized component included in the illumination light to travel in a third direction, wherein the light valve is further configured to: modulate, based on the image data, the first polarized component included in the illumination light that enters from the second direction through the polarized-light separation device, and allow the modulated light to exit therefrom in a fourth direction and to pass through the polarized-light separation device, wherein a projection lens is configured to project, on a projection plane, the modulated light that exit from the light valve in the fourth direction, wherein the image pickup device is further configured to receive detection light from the third direction through both the projection lens and the polarized-light separation device, and wherein one or more optical members are configured to reduce at least the second polarized component included in the illumination light.
The optical system includes an optical module and an image processing unit, and utilizes an illumination source, a polarized-light separation device, a light valve, an image pickup device, a relay lens group, and a projection lens to project images and detect objects. The polarized-light separation device receives light in a first direction, directing different polarized components along second and third directions. The light valve modulates the polarized light based on image data and outputs it in a fourth direction. A projection lens projects this modulated light onto a surface. The image pickup device captures light reflecting from the surface, entering from the third direction through both the projection lens and the polarized-light separation device. Optical elements reduce unwanted polarized light components. The image processing section processes the captured data. The image pickup device is smaller than the light valve.
14. A detection method, comprising: emitting illumination light using an illumination section; receiving the emitted illumination light with a polarized-light separation device, and separating a first polarized component and a second polarized component of the illumination light; receiving with a light valve at least the first polarized component, and outputting at least a portion of the received first polarized component to the polarized-light separation device; projecting an image, based on the portion of the received first polarized component, in a projection path toward a projection area; receiving with an image pickup device at least portions of detection light that is incident from the projection area after the detection light passes through the polarized-light separation device; and detecting, based on image processing by the image pickup device, a position of an object that is positioned in the projection path.
A method for detecting objects using projection includes emitting illumination light. The light is then separated into two polarized components. A light valve receives at least one of these components and outputs a portion of it. This portion is then used to project an image onto a projection area. An image pickup device receives light from the projection area, after it has passed through the polarized-light separation device. Finally, the position of an object within the projection path is detected based on image processing of the received light.
15. The method according to claim 14 , further comprising modulating at least the first polarized component, and outputting at least a portion of the modulated first polarized component to the polarized-light separation device.
The method for detecting objects using projection, including emitting and separating illumination light, using a light valve, projecting an image, and receiving light with an image pickup device, modulates the polarized light with the light valve. This means the light valve changes the properties of the polarized light before sending a portion of it back to the polarized-light separation device.
16. The method according to claim 14 , wherein projecting the image and detecting the position of the object occur concurrently.
The object detection method that emits and separates illumination light, uses a light valve, projects an image, receives light with an image pickup device, and detects object position, projects the image and detects the position of the object at the same time. The projection and detection occur concurrently using the same optical system.
17. The method according to claim 14 , wherein detecting the position of the object is based on light detected by the image pickup device that is outside a visible light spectrum.
The object detection method that emits and separates illumination light, uses a light valve, projects an image, receives light with an image pickup device, and detects object position, determines the position of an object by processing light outside the visible spectrum. The image pickup device captures light, and the image processing section analyzes the components that are invisible to the human eye.
18. The method according to claim 14 , further comprising: receiving the illumination light from a first direction using the polarized-light separation device, allowing the first polarized component included in the illumination light to travel in a second direction using the polarized-light separation device, allowing the second polarized component included in the illumination light to travel in a third direction using the polarized-light separation device, modulating, based on image data, the first polarized component included in the illumination light entering from the second direction through the polarized-light separation device using the light valve, allowing the modulated light to exit therefrom in a fourth direction and to pass through the polarized-light separation device using the light valve, projecting, on a projection plane, the modulated light exiting from the light valve in the fourth direction using projection lens, receiving the detection light from the third direction through both the projection lens and the polarized-light separation device using the image pickup device, and reducing at least the second polarized component included in the illumination light using one or more optical members.
The object detection method includes emitting illumination light, separating light into polarized components, modulating light with a light valve, projecting an image, and detecting light with an image pickup device. Specifically, the light enters the polarized-light separation device in a first direction, which directs polarized components in second and third directions. The light valve modulates the light entering from the second direction, outputting it in a fourth direction. A projection lens projects this light onto a plane. The image pickup device receives detection light from the third direction via the projection lens and the polarized-light separation device. Optical components reduce the second polarized component.
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November 15, 2016
July 4, 2017
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